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Res Gestae Law School History and Publications

1953 Vol. 3, No. 3, March 1953 University of Michigan Law School

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This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Law School History and Publications at University of Michigan Law School Scholarship Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Res Gestae by an authorized administrator of University of Michigan Law School Scholarship Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. UNTV. OF MICH. MAY 1 3 1954 LAW Ll.BRARY Res Gestae SCHOOL OF LAW UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

VOL. III MARCH, 1953 NO.3

PRESIDENT'S COLUMN ALSA REPORT ON JOB PROSPECTS by JIM GAMBLE FOR YOUNG LAWYERS A major part of the pro­ There are some 170,000 in the United States, of gram of the Student Bar whom 158,000 are active practitioners. Of these, 66'10 Association this year has are solo practitioners, 25% are partners in firms, and been directed at the ex­ the remainder are associates or employees of law pansion of the activities firms, business firms or the government service.- and services it makes The above figures are a vast change from the available to the student breakdown we find among lawyers who have just body. The most important graduated. The Harvard Law School reports that of these is the establish­ 65'1 of recent law graduates go into established law ment of a legal aid clinic 0 firms; 5'10 enter the legal departments o:f various cor­ which is still in the plan­ porations; 10'10 enter government work, and only 3'10 ning stage at the present to 5'1o go into solo prac- time. Earlier this year a tice. Yale and Columbia PLANS COMPLETE FOR tour of the W ashtenaw Law Schools agree with SPECIAL LECTURE SERIES County Circuit Court was these figures. They can­ Plans for a series of dis­ arranged through the not, however, be offered cussions on some practi­ generous cooperation of as the national rule. cal aspects of law prac­ Judge Breakey who set Many recent graduates tice have n o w neared the time so that those who enter an established law completion as a result of took advantage of the firm principally to gain a meeting of S.B.A. repre­ trip would also be able to e x p e r i e n e and, this c sentatives with the Junior listen in on part of one of done, they leave these the more i n t e r e s t i n g Bar Section of the Mich­ firms to practice on their igan State Bar. cases that have come up own or to . f o r m small on his docket. A similar In an effort to ease the partnerships. transition of the student tour of the local jail is There is a vast increase planned for the latter part from the classroom to the in the demand for young courtroom, the S.B.A. has of this semester. law graduates by estab­ W i t h i n the last few requested the Junior Bar lished firms today over Section to supply speak­ weeks plans have been four or five years ago, discussed with the Junior ers for a series of talks caused by such factors as dealing with some of the Bar Section of the State lawyers being called to Bar Association for a co­ problems commonly fac­ duty with the A r m e d ed by beginning practi­ operative program that Forces and the tendency tioners. The Junior Bar will make the experience among lawyers to form and organization of the Council has agreed to co­ new partnerships. Junior Bar available to operate, and Craig Dav­ law s t u d e n t s and ac­ Job Hunting: ids, Chairman of the J.B.C. quaint them with the a) The man must seek Committee on Relations workings of that organiz­ out the job; the job will with Law Students, is un­ ation. They have made not seek out the man. dertaking the task of se­ the forums on legal prac­ b) A young lawyer can curing qualified speakers. tice possible the last two expect a cordial reception Suggested topics include: years and are now un­ and interview from any Justice Court Practice; Ex­ dertaking the presenta­ established l a w office, ecution, Garnishment and tion of a series of lectures even if no position is then Attachment; Divorce; Pre­ on the practical aspects available. Future possibil­ trial Criminal Procedure; of law practice. They are ities and professional re­ and Probate Procedure. also preparing a survey sponsibility make an in­ The plan is to limit dis­ of summer job opportun­ terview valuable to both cussion to Michigan prac­ ities for student lawyers parties. tice, but the talks should (continued on page 3) (continued on page 3) (continued on page 2) Page 2 Res Gestae March, 1953 SPECIAL LECTURE- SERVICES REPORT THE QUAD Ranks (continued from page l) BY ABA COMMITTEE High Among Law prove of interest to all stu­ School Yearbooks dents, since the problems The American Bar As­ are of the common var­ sociation formed a com­ The Society of the Pere­ iety. mittee a little over a year grinus of the University of An o p p o r t u n i t y for ago to provide greater in­ Texas Law School recent­ questions w i ll be pro­ formation about the oper­ ly conducted a survey of vided following each lec­ ation of the legal depart­ various law school year­ ture, so that students may ments of the Army, Navy books. The results of this seek answers to a n y and Air Force. The first survey showed that the problem they may have. report of that committee Michigan Law S c h o o l S. B. A. President, James was submitted at the Sep­ yearbook, THE QUAD, Gamble, states that the tember meeting of t h e ranked well below t h e lectures should begin in ABA in San Francisco, average in price, and about a month with one and was made available slightly above the aver­ every w e e k. Announce­ to the Student Bar Asso­ age in total number of ments as to time, place, ciation in January. Fol­ pages. The survey which and subject to be covered lowing is a digest of the w a s based on reports will be posted well in ad­ information which was from eighteen law schools vance of e a c h lecture contained in the first re­ showed that the average date. port. number of p a g e s per Department of the Army book was eighty-three. Of Duties to which officers the yearbooks not receiv­ ILLINOIS WARDEN are assigned include mil­ ing outside funds, the av­ TO SPEAK HERE itary justice, procurement, erage price is $6.33. Most Joseph Ragen, warden international law, litiga­ of the law schools report­ of the Illinois State Peni­ tion a n d processing of ing are located in larger tentiary, will speak here claims, patents, prepara­ metropolitan areas, and some time t h i s month. tion of opinions to various were, therefore, able to Ragen will speak on his commanders a n d legal charge high rates for ad- experiences in the opera­ advice and assistance to vertising. . tion a n d administration all military personnel. In comparison to these of the Illinois prison at At the present time ap­ figures, THE QUAD gives Joliet, one of the largest proximately 1,200 officers an outstanding value. in t h e world. He also are serving in the Judge The total number of pages plans to exhibit a movie Advocate General's in THE QUAD is eighty­ in conjunction with his Corps; of these, more than eight, a little more than talk. one-half are reserve offi­ the number in the aver­ The exact date of his cers. The current program age yearbook which is appearance has not been involves about 200 ap­ supported entirely by set yet, but it is expected pointments to the Corps, subscriptions and adver­ to be· sometime in March. and most of these go to tising. However, the price Ragen will be appearing men immediately u p o n of THE QUAD is only as part of the lecture ser­ graduation from the var­ $3.50, substantially lower ies sponsored by the Stu­ ious law schools. than the average price of dent Bar Association. (continued on page 4) other yearbooks. In addi­ tion, a special price of $3.25 is offered to mem­ S.B.A. presents bers of the Student Bar Association. 0 n l y two THE CHANCELLOR'S COURT yearbooks reported lower advertising rates. 0 n l y two contain more pages, V.F.W. BALLROOM MARCH 14, 1953 and both of these have advertising rates exactly Paul Donough & Orchestra twice those of THE QUAD. THE QUAD is published The Novelaires under the auspices of the Skits from the 1952 Union Opera Student Bar Association. The staff wishes to em­ phasize that the boo~ is $2.50 PER COUPLE 9:30 TO 12:00 P.M. not primarily a s e n 1 o r (continued on page 4) March, 1953 Res Gestae Page 3 PRESIDENT- JOB SURVEY- Large Law Firms: (continued from page l) (continued from page l) in the state. This will be c) It is rare to find a job Two of the best advan­ m a d e available to us at the first office to which tages of working in a sometime in April. one applies but it does large law firm are the In response to the com­ not hurt to meet as many opportunity to round out plaints that have come lawyers as is possible legal education and train­ from seniors in years past with whom the applicant ing (a sort of legal intern­ that they have h a d to may later practice. ship) and the opportunity sacrifice their books to the d) The best time for job to determine a field of local bookstores in order hunting in the East is dur­ specialization. It was ar­ to get any money at all ing the Christmas vaca­ gued by Mr. Brownell that for them, the SBA will tion, when June graduates the long hours and "hu­ man mole in the stacks" open its book~ore thls are hired. spring to r e c e i v e the e) Men from smaller, idea which some have books of the graduating less-known law schools about work in a large law seniors. These will go on will have a more difficult firm is not true. The hours sale next fall, and those time making connections may be somewhat irreg­ that are not sold through in large cities. Lawyers, ular, but the big law firms the exchange will be sold like housewives, seem to are not "slave drivers" to the commercial book­ buy by the brand names. and there is no conscious stores at the going rate. f) It is better for out-of­ preference for those men Checks will be mailed for towners to go back to the who stay until the last the proceeds, less a small place where their roots partner has gone home at charge to cover the ex- are than to attempt to night. Nor can we say, pense of the check and establish in a large city. according to Mr. Brownell, .::1iling. One of the young law­ that there is a greater op­ A new feature in the yer's best assets is the portunity to become "well earbook this year is the friends he has won before rounded" in a large num­ ..-.--t"'"'!"!':!'sion of a directory of he graduated from law ber of legal problems in all law students and their school and these are to a smaller firm than in a addresses. If the idea is be found usually in his large firm, s i n c e the favorably received, it may own home town. smaller firms' specializa­ be possible to put out a tions are dictated by the mimeographed directory Solo Practice: type of work that comes early next fall for refer­ It is claimed by many into their office. ence during the year. that t h e smaller estab­ lished firm is the best for Corporation Legal The student-faculty re­ Departments: lations committee is work­ training. The large office ing on a plan that will en­ in the big city is repre­ There are corporations able students and faculty sented as being too im­ with legal staffs of one members to get together personat a required con­ and as many as 60 and on an informal basis in clition since some of them more lawyers. Many law small groups. This is in contain 80 and more law­ departments are ar­ addition to the student­ yers. It is further thought ranged to handle all gen­ faculty tea that was given that eventually solo prac­ eral legal problems of the last week in conjunction tice is the ideal, and the corporation. On the other with the Lawyers Club one toward which the hand, some corporations Council. greatest number of law­ place their lawyers with­ yers migrate. The advan­ in particular departments, RES GESTAE tages of solo practice are e.g., accounting, patent, Edi.ted by the students of the Uni­ the independence enjoy­ etc., or in the different versity of Michigan Law School un­ ed; "no brass to answer plants of the corporation. der the sponsorship of the Student Bar Association. Communications to;" the enjoyment of a There a r e opportunities should be addressed to: RES GES­ more friendly personal re­ TAE, Hutchins Hall, University of for lawyers in the corpor­ Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. lationship with clients; a ation other than in its leg­ Members of the staff include: greater variety of legal al department (e.g. the RICHARD GOODMAN, Editor problems than the lawyer lawyer in the comptrol­ ED KAHN, Layout finds in a 1 a r g e firm ler's office who handles DON STEINER, Features where the tendency is to legal matters concerned ). T. ROGERS, Business specialize, and; a better with the accounting rec­ JIM PATRICK opportunity to become ac­ ords). CHARLES WEXLER tive in locat state and the Some corporations liti­ GRANGER COOK national bar associations. (continued on page 4) Page 4 Res Gestae March, 1953 JOB SURVEY- good community mixer THE QUAD- (continued from page 3) and must have the will­ (continued from page 2) gate their own cases but ingness to be a commun­ publication, but concerns many hire local counsel ity servant (school board, the activities of the entire in the jurisdiction where library council, c h u r c h law school. the litigation is pending. activities, etc.). This is as THE QUAD has been This, since the corporate much a part of successful on sale throughout the lawyer has little to do rural law practice as of­ month of February, but with litigation and with fice and court work. One those who have not al­ the strict practice of law. must also be willing to ready done so may order He is m o r e concerned survive with little profes­ within the next week. Or­ with the preventive and sional companionship in ders will be taken in the anticipatory aspects of the rural community and S.B.A. office in Hutchins the law. he must also expect to Hall on Monday or Wed­ Corporations a r e not find the people to be as nesday afternoons or may the best place for training intelligent as in a large be made with the repre­ the young lawyer. They city but not as articulate. sentatives in t he Law generally do not hire law­ Club. The book will be yers just out of school and General Observations: distributed in May. prefer to get experienced men. The corporate law­ a) Make a thorough ex­ SERVICES- yer must be a) trained in amination of your desires ( continued from page 2) business practices, b) a and goals and then seek the legal position t h a t Department of the team worker, who can get Air Force along as part of a large best suits your purposes. organization - the indi­ Do not limit your view­ According to available vidualist or promoter or point to your native or to statistics there are about potentially g r e a t trial your law school comm un­ 2,000 lawyers or legally lawyer is not too desired ity. After graduation take trained persons in the Air -a n d, c) should have a tour of the country be­ Force. These men perform some prior experience in fore you make any final the statutory legal func­ a law firm or legal de­ decisions. tions of the Air Force, sim­ ilar to those of the Army. partment of another cor­ b) Look at the oppor­ poration. It is anticipated t h a t tunities for training in the there will be about 290 T h e compensation of firm to which you apply the corporate lawyer is vacancies for lawyers in for position. Some 1 a w the Air Force within the usually higher than that firms have a very wise of his brother in the law next few months. Some of training program w h i l e these vacancies will be f i r m. Advancement is others have no carefully good and often more reg­ filled by recent graduates thought-out program. of law schools who will ular than in t h e other Some firms tend to have branches of the profes­ apply for Reserve Com­ their men specialize too missions and agree to en­ sion. The hours are regu­ early. lar, although "homework" ter upon extended active c) Generalizations is quite common. There is duty. also more job security about large and small law firms are not good. Department of the Navy and it is not uncommon Some small firms have a The officers in the N&:vy to find such added attrac­ whose duties deal exClus­ tions as retirement plans very narrow practice. On the other hand, s o m e ively with legal work are and pensions, which law designated legal special­ firms do not provide. large firms specialize too much for the person who ists. Some initial commis­ Practice in Small wishes to get a good ap­ sions of law specialists Communities: prenticeship training. are being accepted into the Regular Navy, but no The smaller community d) The remarks made such commissions are be­ is considered to be very about corporations pre­ ing offered currently in desirable for a practition­ ferring to hire men who the Naval Reserve. er. One must expect few have been trained by law jobs here - mainly self­ firms is not true in the mediately after gradua­ establishment or sharing area that lies to the West tion. space with another prac­ of the heavily industrial­ e) The best a r e a in titioner. A person intend­ ized East. In this area it which to begin the prac­ ing to settle in a rural is not a disadvantage to tice of law is in the far community must be a go with a corporation im- Northwest and in Texas.